The Seminole Ridge High School girls varsity softball team is off to a sizzling start this season. After seven games, the team is 6-1.
Of those six wins, one was the season-opening 12-2 win on Feb. 20 against Jupiter High School, which is one of the stronger softball programs in Palm Beach County. Two days later, on Feb. 22, the Hawks defeated Spanish River High School, which is the Florida High School Athletic Association’s reigning Class 7A state champion.
The only blemish on the schedule was a 7-6 extra innings loss to Westminster Academy on March 1. The team’s most recent victory was a 12-6 win over Palm Beach Central High School on Tuesday, March 5.
According to Seminole Ridge head coach Candace Navarro, the foundation of her team’s success has been strong pitching.
“The pitching staff is exceptionally great,” Navarro said. “Senior Bella Martinez started off the season with a complete game 12-2 victory against Jupiter High School. Freshman Cailee Sessions, with the help of her defense, threw a complete game one-hitter against Spanish River High School, and freshman Adrianna Gonzalez threw a complete game 15-0 shutout against Dr. Joaquín Garcia High School.”
The Hawks are also getting timely hitting, and they are running the bases well. As a team, Seminole Ridge’s team batting average is .373, and they have been successful in all 22 stolen base attempts.
Seminole Ridge’s top two hitters are senior shortstop Grace Rawn, who is committed to playing softball next year for the University of South Florida, and junior center fielder Yasmin Gonzalez.
“Grace is leading the way with a .667 batting average, two home runs and five stolen bases. Grace is the spark every team wants. She is a fantastic leader and teammate,” Navarro said. “Yasmin has been unstoppable, hitting .444 with five doubles and a triple on the season. She is leading the team with seven RBIs. She played amazing defense in center field in the win over Palm Beach Central.”
Three other seniors on the Seminole Ridge squad, who are committed to playing college softball, are also leading by example. Maya Moro and Bella Martinez, both of whom will play at Montreat College in North Carolina, are hitting .352 and .473, respectively.
Catcher Hailey Vassalotti, a Boise State University commit, has four stolen bases and five RBIs.
“Hailey also calls the pitches behind the plate, which is rare for any level of play,” Navarro noted.
Brooke Bohn, the fifth senior on the team, is off to a great start in the batter’s box, hitting .363.
Looking forward, big games on Seminole Ridge’s regular season schedule will be at the King’s Academy on March 12, at Palm Beach Gardens High School on March 27, at home against Park Vista High School on April 2, a rematch against Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale on April 3 and a home game against Wellington High School on April 23.
